Home - Search - Browse - Alphabetic Index: 0- 1- 2- 3- 4- 5- 6- 7- 8- 9
A- B- C- D- E- F- G- H- I- J- K- L- M- N- O- P- Q- R- S- T- U- V- W- X- Y- Z

---

More Details for 2008-02-12

---

Mission 1E Flight Day 6 (FD6). Congratulations, ESA!

At ~9:15am EST, the European Columbus laboratory was opened and entered by crewmembers for the first time. (Columbus is permanently attached at the starboard port of Node-2.)

Crew sleep cycle remains at 4:45am - 8:15pm for both crews.

Before breakfast, FE-2 Dan Tani completed his daily access of the SLEEP experiment (Sleep-Wake Actigraphy & Light Exposure during Spaceflight) software for data logging and filling in questionnaire entries in the experiment's laptop session file on the HRF-1 laptop for downlink. (To monitor the crewmember's sleep/wake patterns and light exposure, Dan wears a special Actiwatch device which measures the light levels encountered by him as well as his patterns of sleep and activity throughout the Expedition. The log entries are done within 15 minutes of final awakening for seven consecutive days, as part of the crew's discretionary 'job jar' task list.)

CDR Peggy Whitson and FE-2-16 Leo Eyharts continued their IMMUNO (Integrated Immune Assessment) experiment, begun on 2/9, with liquid saliva collections, first thing after wake-up and prior to breakfast, drinking and teeth-brushing. All samples were stored at ambient temperature. Dan Tani's IMMUNO liquid saliva collection starts tomorrow morning. (IMMUNO (Integrated Immune Assessment)is a 24-hr. test of human immune system changes, with the objective to investigate immune neuro-endocrine reactions in the space environment by studying samples of saliva, blood and urine using collection kits and the biomedical (MBI) protection kit, to develop and validate an immune monitoring strategy consistent with operational flight requirements and constraints. The strategy uses both long and short duration crewmembers as study subjects. The saliva is collected in two forms, dry and liquid. The dry samples are collected at intervals during the collection day using a specialized book that contains filter paper. The liquid saliva collections require that the crewmember soak a piece of cotton inside their mouth and place it in a salivette bag; there are four of the liquid collections during docked operations. The on-orbit blood samples are collected right before undocking and returned on the Shuttle so that analysis can occur with 48 hours of the sampling. This allows assays that quantify the function of different types white blood cells and other active components of the immune system. For cold storage, samples are secured in the MELFI (Minus-Eighty Laboratory Freezer for ISS). Also included are entries in a fluid/medications intact log, and a stress-test questionnaire to be filled out by the subject at begin and end. Urine is collected during a 24-hour period, conventionally divided into two twelve-hour phases: morning-evening and evening-morning.)

In preparation for upcoming experiment activities, FE-1 Yuri Malenchenko activated the Russian KRIOGEM-03M refrigerator system for an extended performance check, powering it up to -22 degC with an AX ice pack from storage installed, then monitoring its displayed temperature for the next five days (through 2/17) once a day before sleeptime.

Afterwards, Yuri made preparations for a software upgrade of the CPC1 (Central Post Computer) RS2 laptop by loading newly OCA-uplinked software (for updated displays) onto an USB flash drive. Installation of the file contents from the flash drive in RS2 is scheduled tomorrow.

The FE-1 also collected condensate water (KAV) upstream of the FGS (Gas-Liquid Mixture Filter) of the SRV-K2M (Condensate Water Recovery System) in empty drink bags for return to Earth.

Whitson and Tani meanwhile finished the Node-2 O2 (oxygen) system leak check, then terminated the leak check of the Harmony-to-Columbus vestibule.

In preparation for Columbus hatch opening and ingress, Peggy and Dan worked jointly to -

Remove the center CBM (Common Berthing Mechanism) disk cover and thermal cover after opening the Node-2 hatch,
Install electrical grounding straps,
Disconnect Node-2/Columbus ITCS QD (Internal Thermal Control System Quick Disconnect),
Install Columbus power jumpers and
Remove all CPA (Control Panel Assembly) power jumpers (J1, J2, J3, J4).
After hatch opening and first crew ingress in Columbus at ~9:15am, Peggy, Dan and Leo continued outfitting Columbus. Among else, they -

Installed hardwired instrumentation jumpers and connect 1553 data cables,
Removed forward, aft, overhead & deck Node-2 CPA panels,
Installed IMV (Intermodular Ventilation) airducts,
Installed condensate water hose,
Removed the aft NPRV (Negative Pressure Relief Valve) valve, replacing it with an IMV valve,
Installed fiber optics cable, SDS (Sample Delivery System) and IMV return line,
Transferred two PFEs (portable fire extinguishers) and two PBAs (portable breathing apparatus) to Columbus,
Installed Partition Support Posts, and
Installed the Ethernet cable and IVA (Intravehicular Activity) antenna assembly.
The FE-1 meanwhile conducted the periodic checkout/verification of IP-1 airflow sensors in the various RS (Russian segment) hatch openings (8) in the SM (Service Module), FGB and DC1 (Docking Compartment).

Upon Columbus (COL) hatch opening, Malenchenko took samples using the Russian IPD Draeger tubes and AK-1M samplers, testing for CO (Carbon Monoxide) in the SM & COL and for Formaldehyde (H2CO, methanal) in COL. At the same time, Eyharts collected samples with the U.S. CSA-CP (Compound Specific Analyzer- Combustion Products) and GSC (Grab Sample Container). The FE-1 prepacked the air samples for return on the Shuttle.

FE-2 Tani deployed the new EMER-1 SODF (Station Operations Data File) emergency procedures book for Columbus.

Malenchenko set up the Russian KPT-2 science payload BAR-RM, Kelvin, Ira and TTM, to be used for experimenting with ISS leak detection based on environmental data anomalies (temperature, humidity, and ultrasound emissions) at leak locations. Data gathering will take place in the next two days using the RSE-1 laptop, with downlinking via BSR-TM channel. (BAR-RM is designed to develop a procedure for detection of air leakage from ISS modules based on environmental data anomalies (temperature, humidity, ultrasound emissions). The payload uses a remote infrared thermometer (Kelvin-Video), a thermohygrometer (Iva-6A), a heat-loss anemometer/thermometer (TTM-2), an ultrasound analyzer (AU-01), and a leak detector (UT2-03) to determine physical background signs of loss of ISS pressure integrity which could be indicative of leaks in the working compartments of the station. Measurements are taken in specific zones (13 in SM PkhO and 4 in DC1), both with lights & fans turned on and off. )

Yuri Ivanovich also completed the 2.5-hr Part 2 of his first onboard 'Profilaktika' (MBI-8, 'Countermeasures') series of preventive health maintenance fitness testing, including ECG (Electrocardiogram), blood test and subjective rating. (Today's fitness test was performed on the TVIS treadmill in unmotorized (idle) mode, with free choice of speeds within the range permitted. The test investigates the action mechanism and efficiency of various countermeasures (currently VELO and TVIS) aimed at preventing locomotor system disorders in weightlessness. The test differs from the normal TVIS session by the use of the TEEM-100 gas analyzer (via a mask equipped with a pneumotachometer sensor), measurement of blood lactate level and subjective evaluation of physical exertion levels during the test. The lactate blood samples were taken twice at the end of the session, using the ACCUSPORT analyzer and REFLOTRON-4 accessories. Results were entered on a log sheet. TEEM and ECG (electrocardiograph) data were transferred to the RSE-Med laptop, also on a tape cassette (Cardiocassette-2000), and prepared for later downlink via Regul-Packet comm. Results were also called down via S-band to specialists standing by at TsUP-Moscow.)

Dan Tani reconfigured the DCS-760 EVA cameras and initiated charging of their batteries.

Malenchenko completed the routine servicing of the SOZh system (Environment Control & Life Support System, ECLSS) in the Service Module (SM). (Regular daily SOZh maintenance consists, among else, of checking the ASU toilet facilities, replacement of the KTO & KBO solid waste containers and replacement of EDV-SV waste water and EDV-U urine containers.)

Working off his discretionary 'time permitting' task list, Yuri conducted the daily monitoring, picture-taking and downloading on the newly set up BIO-5 Rasteniya-2 ("Plants-2") experiment. (Rasteniya-2, researches growth and development of plants (peas) under spaceflight conditions in the Lada-12 greenhouse from IBMP (Institute of Bio-Medical Problems, Russian: IMBP). During its operation, the experiment requires regular daily maintenance of the experiment involving monitoring of seedling growth, humidity measurements, moistening of the substrate if necessary, and photo/video recording. During the duration of the BIO-5 experiment, students of the Moscow City Palace for Youth Creativity of the Meshchansky inter-regional center #15 in Moscow) and the Prince of Oldenburg Lyceum in St. Petersburg will be cultivating plants in parallel on the ground and conducting comparative observation of plant growth and development under gravity and zero-gravity conditions. They are receiving the photo images taken by Yuri.)

Also suggested on Yuri's Russian voluntary 'job jar' list for today was the regular checkup on the Japanese experiment GCF-JAXA (Granada Crystallization Facility) in the Russian TBU incubator, maintained at +20 degC, including a temperature check on its ART (automatic temperature recorder). (This is a daily monitoring/temp checking, carried on the Russian voluntary task list for the duration of Expedition 16.)

Leo Eyharts updated the TVIS exercise protocol for his future use of the device as new FE-2.

The crewmembers completed their regular 2.5-hr. physical workout program (about half of which is used for setup & post-exercise personal hygiene) on the TVIS (CDR, FE-1), and RED resistive exercise device (CDR, FE-2).

Afterwards, Yuri copied the exercise data file to the MEC (Medical Equipment Computer) laptop for downlink, including the daily wristband HRM (Heart Rate Monitor) data of the workouts on RED, followed by their erasure on the HRM storage medium (done six times a week).

Rex Walheim (EV1) & Hans Schlegel (EV2) will begin their 'campout' (nachalo desaturatsiy = desaturation start) in the Airlock (A/L) with hatch closure and depressurization of the Crewlock (CL) from 14.7 to 10.2 psi at ~7:00pm, followed by mask prebreathe at ~7:00-8:15pm. Sleep time for the ISS crew begins at 8:45pm.

Following the usual hygiene break/with mask prebreathe for Rex & Hans at ~5:20-6:30am tomorrow morning after spending the night on 10.2 psi, the A/L hatch will be closed again for EVA preps in 10.2 psi, followed by EMU purge and prebreathe in the EMUs. Afterwards, with CL depressurization and EV1/EV2 egress, EVA-2 nominally begins at ~9:35am EST. Frick & Whitson will support the spacewalk as IV (Intravehicular) crewmembers, keeping tabs with the detailed activity steps and crib sheet. (Objectives of the spacewalk are to (1) Remove new NTA (Nitrogen Tank Assembly) from Shuttle PLB (Payload Bay), (2) Transfer ('fly') the NTA to the CETA (Crew & Equipment Translation Aid) cart for transfer to the P1 truss, (3) Replace old NTA with new NTA, (4) Return old NTA for stowage in PLB, (4) Perform Get-Aheads, viz.: Install Lab MMOD (Micrometeoroid/Orbital Debris Shield) & Columbus Trunnion Covers.)

No CEO photo targets uplinked for today.